New NBI head welcomes challenge

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Assistant Director Medardo De Lemos was formally appointed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) as the new Officer-in-Charge of the agency on Friday.

De Lemos said he was in Iloilo airport when he was informed about the appointment. He said he was pleased about the development and accepts the duties as the new OIC.

“We rise to the challenge,” De Lemos said in a phone interview when asked about his appointment.

According to De Lemos, he also encourages the whole agency to help hand in hand in resolving cases and to keep the agency into order.

Facing big cases like Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam and Malampaya fund scam, De Limos also asked the NBI to continue its excellent and difficult undertakings despite big resources needed to finish the work.

Meanwhile, NBI officers were supportive of De Lemos’ appointment as their new OIC.

“That was an excellent choice. He deserves the designation as the Officer-in-Charge. It
also highlights the professionalism and the career development of the people who works hard for the ranks,” said NBI Deputy Director Reynaldo Esmeralda.

NBI officers are also hopeful that De Lemos, who rose from the ranks in NBI, will eventually be appointed by the President as their director.

“He has the support of the entire bureaucracy and we will work hard for him so that eventually he will be appointed as the permanent NBI director,” said Esmeralda.

Esmeralda also said he will recommend De Lemos that the directorial staff be utilized in the evaluation in the progress of PDAF and Malampaya case.

The new NBI OIC said that he will push for reforms in the system and procedures. He also said that he wants to make sure that every case will be given enough attention no matter how many cases are filed at the bureau.